VILLE PLATTE — There will be no trick-or-treating in the City of Ville Platte this year.
Mayor Jennifer Vidrine made the announcement during a recent council meeting, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason.
Vidrine says it's still prevalent and she won't be taking any risks.
Haunted houses and large gatherings also won't be allowed.
There are mixed feelings about the mayor's decision. Some say they can go trick-or-treating while also being safe.
"Kids shouldn't get punished for the pandemic," said parent Melvin Porter. "We can always practice social distancing like we're doing with the face masks. As you can see, I have face shields for my kids, and I think that they could still get out and trick-or-treat."
Some parents are grateful they have the resources to explore other options, like going trick-or-treating outside city limits.
"I know Lakeview [Campground] does for their campers that go," explained parent Liz Charlie. "They go and set up big stuff, like huge... It's like a competition. And they do that every weekend in October."
Others will be staying in Ville Platte on the October 31, but they are making sure their kids still have a happy Halloween.
"We're just going to celebrate at the house, do different little decorations, make some Halloween cookies or cupcakes or something."
The mayor says she's hoping by taking this step now, festivities will resume next year.
Some parents are staying positive and holding out for a better a year.
"We're going to live through this, and we're going to talk about it," said Charlie. "You know, twenty years from now, [we're going to say] remember 2020 [when] we couldn't do anything."
For a list of trick-or-treat times across Acadiana, click here.
